The New York Islanders have signed Matthew Schaefer, this 12 months’s No. 1 general draft decide, to a three-year, entry-level contract, the workforce introduced on Monday.
Schaefer scored seven targets and 22 factors in 17 video games with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League this previous season. His season ended after he injured his collarbone whereas enjoying with Group Canada in the course of the 2025 World Junior Championship in Ottawa. The defenseman scored 10 targets and 29 assists in 73 profession video games with the Otters, incomes All-Rookie Group honors in the course of the 2023-24 marketing campaign.
The Stoney Creek, Ont. native gained a gold medal in 2024 with Group Canada on the U18 World Hockey Championship in Finland, and likewise captained Canada to a Hlinka Gretzky Cup victory the identical 12 months. Schaefer is the Islanders’ fifth-ever first general decide and their first since they drafted John Tavares in 2009.
A really, very emotional second for Matthew Schaefer ❤️
🎥 @NHL | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/EmtPwn3nnn
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) June 27, 2025
(Photograph: Bruce Bennett / Getty Photos)
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